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by Julia Mühlhauser
Dear Supporter,
Welcome back to Bring Hope Humanitarian Foundation's monthly newsletter containing the latest news, updates and insights into our work.
While vaccination rates are increasing foremost in Europe and Northern America, enabling countries to go back to a more 'normal' life, the covid-19 pandemic is still endangering the lives of millions of people globally. This is based on the fact that more than 80 percent of all vaccine doses worldwide have been administered to high- and upper-middle-income countries. In contrast, low-income countries have gotten less than 0,5 percent of all vaccines that were sent out.
Resulting in almost 10.000 new weekly cases reported by the WHO in Iraq, covid-19 continues to impact our work on the ground level.
If you have followed our previous updates, you have seen that despite certain obstacles we have managed to shift our efforts towards preventative actions. These actions include the distribution of medical and humanitarian aid, which has been crucial in preserving and restoring the dignity of refugees and IDPs, which are some of the most vulnerable groups of this pandemic.
In today's newsletter, we happily share the impact we had in the first six months of 2021 with our freshly released Mid-Annual Distribution Report 2021 and give you insight into how the people in Northern Iraq use the humanitarian and medical aid we handed out in July 2021.
As vaccinations continue to be rolled out globally, we are starting to plan for the future beyond pandemic conditions, aiming for capacity building programmes to rebuild the lives of those affected in the most sustainable way possible. That is why we are happy to inform you that the first covid-19 vaccination unit has been opened in the first refugee and IDP camp (Domiz-1 refugee camp in Duhok) some days ago. This is the first step towards enabling vulnerable displaced persons in Northern Iraq to a safer and healthier life.
Thanks to all of our subscribers for following us on our journey and supporting us in restoring the dignity of displaced people globally.
Together, we can bring hope!
To support refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs), Bring Hope Humanitarian Foundation’s team in Northern Iraq has delivered various supplies (including furniture, school supplies, clothes, hygiene products, and sports equipment) to the Joint Crisis Coordination Center (JCC) in Erbil. With these supplies, the Erbil Governorate can support refugees and IDPs.
We are thrilled that we were able to support the health centre in Sulaimani with much needed surgical masks. The distribution of the 20.000 masks can help stop the spread of the illness, which is especially important to protect human beings enduring crowded living conditions in IDPs and refugee camps.
Special Delivery for Children
Our team distributed needed furniture, hygiene products, and toys to the Emirates Autism Center in Erbil. The video below gives you a more detailed insight into our team's work and highlights the centre manager, Ghazal Mohammed Saleh, and the children's reaction.
Emergency Response - Blast in Lebanon
On August 4th, it will be a year since the devastating explosion in Beirut, Lebanon. The blast caused several hundred fatalities and resulted in at least 7,500 injuries, and left an estimated 300,000 people homeless. To support the local efforts, Bring Hope Humanitarian Foundation has donated 65 tons of hygiene items (for adults and babies) to our trusted cooperation partner in Lebanon - Anera. So far, together, we have supported 27 institutions, among them health centres, hospitals, refugee centres, and children associations.
Hygiene Project in Algeria
Together with our valued partner SHAI FUND, we distributed 60 000 hygiene items worth about 300 000USD to the Saharawi Red Crescent. This pilot project aims to improve hygiene and wash habits among lactating women and their babies in the Sahrawi refugee camps.
Even though distributions are just one part for restoring the dignity of the ones enduring displacement and other hazards, every distribution brings some hope into the lives of those we serve. At Bring Hope Humanitarian Foundation, we will keep up the work to reach the goal to restore and preserve the dignity of more people in need.
But we cannot do it alone, funding is needed to keep up not just the distributions but also start with long-waited capability building projects shortly.
You have the power to support us in achieving these goals and have a direct impact in helping people in need to build up an improved livelihood.
Mid-Annual Report 2021 - Distributions in Northern Iraq
Launched this month, Bring Hope Humanitarian Foundation’s Mid-Annual Report for 2021 highlights our team’s response efforts in Northern Iraq.
The report takes stock of Bring Hope’s aid distributions and impact. Find the report on our social Media and Website.
Our team of skilled individuals makes it possible for us as the Bring Hope Humanitarian Foundation to support more and more people across the world.
We value our team members and want you to get to know the faces behind our organisation!
Katia Kanarki (21), from Damascus, Syria, is our Partnership Officer based in Dubai. She plays a central role in developing collaborations that will enable Bring Hope Humanitarian Foundation to fulfil its mission effectively.
Tell us a bit about yourself!
My name is Katia Kanakri; I am 21 years old, and I am originally from Damascus, Syria, but I was born and raised in Dubai, UAE. I recently graduated from the American University of Sharjah back in June 2021 with a Bachelors in International Studies, a minor in Economics and another minor in Environmental Policy. Some of my passions include music, singing, dancing, sustainability and the environment, community service, cooking, sewing, crocheting, knitting, and other DIY hobbies!
What is your role in the Bring Hope Humanitarian Foundation?
I joined Bring Hope Humanitarian Foundation in July 2021 as the Partnerships Officer based in the Dubai office. My primary responsibility is to identify partnership needs and opportunities and develop Bring Hope's partnership network to enrich our collaborations. Leading to possibilities to effectively help more people and fulfil Bring Hope Humanitarian Foundation's mission and objectives.
Recently, we began discussions with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) regarding a possible partnership between us to provide aid for Palestine refugees in need.
What do you think makes Bring Hope unique?
So many things make Bring Hope unique, but the story behind its establishment is the primary factor that distinguishes it from other organisations and NGOs. When I first heard Dr Mariwan Baker's personal story of how he himself was displaced several times when he was a young man living in Iraqi-Kurdistan, it was heart-breaking. I was incredibly inspired by how he was able to never lose hope despite his challenging circumstances and how he was able to direct this hope into an NGO that is now helping people in need and bringing them this hope too. The personal touch behind this organisation and its mission gives it this unique life that drives everyone at Bring Hope to work hard to help as many people as possible.
In the following months, we will keep improving our impact to support more people on their journey to a better livelihood.
The whole Bring Hope Humanitarian Foundation's team will participate in a training for Evaluation and Monitoring in Emergencies to better understand how to serve people in need. We are looking forward to this training and improving our skills for our future work in the field.
Moreover, we are working on a new design for our website that represents our vision, work and mission more adequately.
Stay updated by following our developments via our social media platforms!
